AMERICAN TOURISTS WARNED ABOUT THREAT OF TERRORISM

The State Department on Saturday issued a new warning to Americans traveling abroad of the threat of Iraq-sponsored terrorist attacks "in the near future."

"The State Department is particularly concerned about possible terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East," the advisory said.Like an initial warning issued Sept. 7, the new announcement did not cite specific locations that may be targeted by terrorist forces loyal to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein

However, it said, "Evidence continues to accumulate that Iraqi-sponsored terrorism may occur in the near future."

The department said for the first time that its evidence points to Europe and the Middle East as the likeliest areas for terrorist attack.

"While information does not suggest that Americans traveling abroad are the specific targets of possible Iraqi-sponsored terrorism," the advisory said, "Americans overseas should exercise caution, particularly when in or near U.S. military or civilian facilities or at other facilities commonly identified as `American."'

National security adviser Brent Scowcroft told reporters in a briefing Friday that Saddam was "actively discussing things" with terrorist leaders.

Asked if there was evidence of specific threats, Scowcroft said, "There have been a couple of strange incidents in Brussels, for example, and there was a recent one, there was a soldier shot, I think, and wounded in Saudi Arabia."

Last week, assailants broke into the Brussels home of a U.S. Air Force general assigned to NATO, and Belgian reports called the incident an attempted kidnapping or murder. The general was out of the country at the time.

And an Air Force mechanic suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder Thursday at a facility in Saudi Arabia. The Air Force said it was unable to determine whether the shooting was a terrorist act.